International Padel Federation: a new global tour (competitor of the World Padel Tour) backed by QSI

The International Padel Federation (FIP) is launching "a new international circuit supported by world's best players and in global strategic partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI)," announced the body on 01/02/2022.

"This brand new circuit will be based on a new calendar bringing together international competitions and national events, including four first category events (often called 'majors'), which will take place at the within the most spectacular venues in the world. 10 major tournaments are planned at least in 2022 and 2023, with a first major tournament expected in March, followed by more than 25 tournaments major events per year by 2024. This new circuit constitutes the one and only official circuit under the governance and regulation of the FIP," explained the body.

The FIP is in competition with the World Padel Tour (WPT), a tour organised by Setpoint Events, a private entity partly owned by the Iberian beer company Estrella Damm, which will stop in France in 2022 (see below). The WPT announced on the same day that Mediapro would market the international TV rights…